Robinson Cano walks back to the dugout after being removed for a pinch runner in the first inning after he was hit by a pitch. / Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports

by John Perrotto, Special for USA TODAY Sports

by John Perrotto, Special for USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK -- Rest easy conspiracy theorists, Matt Harvey did not hit Robinson Cano on purpose.

Cano, the New York Yankees second baseman, was forced to leave the All-Star Game in the first inning on Tuesday night when hit in the right leg by a pitch from the New York Mets' Matt Harvey, who was pitching at Citi Field, his home ballpark.

Cano was diagnosed with a bruised quadriceps and said he did not consider the injury serious.

Harvey is a Scott Boras client while Cano left Boras for Jay-Z's Roc Nation agency earlier this season. Cano is the top free agent this offseason and is expected to get a huge contract, perhaps something approaching $200 million.

However, Cano absolved Harvey of any blame.

"He was just trying to throw a cutter in and got a little too far inside," Cano said. "When I was coming off the field, he said 'my bad' and I said 'no problem.' I know he don't want to hit nobody. That's just part of the game."

In Spanish, Cano added: "As hard as he throws, at least it wasn't 98 (mph). It was 92 and luckily it hit the quad."

Harvey said he wasn't trying to instigate any hard feelings between agents, crosstown rivals or leagues.

"We had called fastball in there. I knew I had to get it inside but obviously I didn't want to get it in that much," Harvey said. "Once I let it go, I could kinda feel it. I cut it a little bit, so I was hoping he was going to be able to get out of the way. But unfortunately, he didn't. It definitely was not intentional."

Cano was advised to ice the quad over the rest of the All-Star break. He is hopeful of playing Friday night when the Yankees return to action by playing the American League-East leading Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

"I'm walking fine. I'd say no pain, just tightness a little bit," Cano said. "Since it's close to the knee, if it had been something where I couldn't walk, then I would have been worried. Thankfully I was able to walk.''

Cano went to first base but then left after the following batter, Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers, struck out. Boston's Dustin Pedroia pinch-ran for Cano and stayed in to play in the field.

"I felt it getting a little tight and I didn't want to aggravate it, make it a worse situation," Cano said. "I thought I better come out of the game and put ice on it. I know it's the All-Star Game and it's for the fans but I didn't want to take a chance. If it were a regular-season game, it would be different."

It was only fitting, in a macabre sort of way, for a Yankees player would be injured in the All-Star Game. They have been best with injuries this season:

The Yankees have been beset with injuries.

Third baseman Alex Rodriguez has yet to play in a major-league game this season after undergoing hip surgery in January, though he is currently playing rehab games in the minor leagues.

Shortstop Derek Jeter broke his left ankle in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, re-broke it while rehabbing during spring training then suffered a strained quadriceps in his season debut last Thursday and missed the final three games of the first half.

First baseman Mark Teixeira played in just 15 games before undergoing season-ending wrist surgery.

Left fielder Curtis Granderson has been limited to eight games because of breaking bones in both arms in two separate injuries.

Third baseman Kevin Youkilis appeared in 28 games before having season-ending back surgery.

Catcher Francisco Cervelli has played in 17 games because of a broken hand.